(CNN) - A two-term Democratic senator who could face a challenging re-election next year is reporting some big fundraising figures.

Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida will report raising just under $2 million in the third quarter of fundraising this year, according to a source close to Nelson's re-election campaign. The source also says the senator will report having around $7.5 million cash on hand for his re-election bid, and that 5,133 individuals made donations, a 54% increase in contributors over the second quarter.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - It seems Mike Haridopolos is living up to his reputation as a strong fund-raiser.

The Florida state Senate president, who's running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, raised $2.6 million in the first three months this year, a source familiar with his fund-raising figures confirms to CNN.FULL POST

Sen. George LeMieux said Friday that he will not support Gov. Charlie Crist's Senate bid.

Washington (CNN) – The political fallout continued Friday for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist as his longtime friend and adviser Sen. George LeMieux announced that he will not support Crist's independent bid for Senate.

"I am saddened that my friend, Governor Crist, has decided to leave the Republican Party. Our friendship runs deep, but my commitment to the principles of the Republican Party runs deeper. I cannot walk down the path he has chosen," LeMieux said in a statement released by the Republican Party of Florida.

On Thursday, Crist announced that he will run as an independent in the Florida Senate race, sidestepping a showdown with Republican Marco Rubio.

For LeMieux, Crist's former chief of staff, the move means turning his back on the man who appointed him to the Senate following the retirement of Sen. Mel Martinez.

Florida Sen. George LeMieux would not say Thursday whether he would support Crist's Senate bid if he decides to abandon the Republican primary and run as an independent.

Washington (CNN) - Florida Sen. George LeMieux, who was appointed to his seat last year by Gov. Charlie Crist, would not say Thursday whether he would support Crist's Senate bid if he decides to abandon the Republican primary and run as an independent.

A Quinnipiac poll released Thursday indicated that Crist trails his opponent for the GOP Senate nomination, Marco Rubio, by 23 points. But the same poll has Crist narrowly leading in a hypothetical three-way race against Rubio, the former Florida house speaker, and Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek, with Crist running as an independent.

LeMieux, a longtime adviser to the governor, said he had "no information" on whether Crist planned to quit the GOP primary. He dodged when asked if he would support Crist as an independent.

"He is a Republican, has always been a Republican," LeMieux said. "I expect him to run as a Republican."